The 6 Best hot charcoals (2023 reviews)

We know from years of feedback from readers, customers and amazon sellers, what most people want in a charcoal. The fogo hot charcoal is exactly that - it's a simple charcoal that hits all the right notes. Fogo is an all-natural, free of chemical hardwood charcoal that will enhance the flavor of your food. It takes a bit longer to get lit, but burns for twice as long and produces a really intense but even heat profile. It is amazing lump charcoal with great flavor. It has great flavor and the chucks vary in size from half-fist to fist and half. This coal also imparts a nice flavor to meats.

The aroma is fabulous, pork tastes great. It is great charcoal to use with green egg. It has no added chemicals.

Why We Like This:

Easy to light without lighter fluid
Lots of dust and soft surface generates a lot of sparks on ignition
Great for low and slow smoke sessions
Very little ash and has a long consistent burn

Best For Kamado: Kamado Joe hot Charcoal

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The kamado joe hot charcoal is capable of outshining several other charcoal featured in this list in overall features for the price point. This is natural charcoal and you should use an electric starter or fire stick to get it going. It can burn up to 18 hours and is reusable up to three times. The larger chunks of charcoal burn great for slow cooks. It smells like lighter fluid, too. It is great for the long burn for brisket or beef ribs.

The box makes it easy to store and looks better. It burns hot and long and leaves very little residue. It is made from a blend of hardwood.

Why We Like This:

Solid value with some really large pieces
Good size chunks and burns well and even
New and hot release

Best For BGE: Thaan Charcoal hot Charcoal

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Next on the list, we've got yet another charcoal that manages to win our hearts. It's the thaan charcoal hot charcoal and it's widely considered as charcoal that has the most suitable features. It is best charcoal for table top korean bb. It is made of fruit trees (possibly shells etc) and imparts this ever so slightly noticeable hint of sweetness. It burns for a long time and it is smokeless. It is perfectly, predictably hot plus it is great for any style of solid fuel cooking.

These coals offer a great flavor, are amazing for indoor cooking and burn for 4 hrs plus. It imparts zero charcoal/fuel flavor on the food but allows for a nice bbq experience. It is easy to use, and lasts a long time. It is suitable for flat or small grills where the coals get close to the food.

Why We Like This:

Awesome charcoals that burn super hot for hours
Burns super hot, making it fantastic for searing and other high temp uses
More residue than natural chunk but far less than briquettes
Very mild wood that allows the meat you are grilling to speak for itself

Best For Green Egg: Bincho Grill hot Charcoal

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The high heat of this charcoal is great for searing all kinds of meats skewered or not. It will work best in yakitori grill, egg grill, komodo joe, smokers, portable grills and basically any charcoal bbq grills. The charcoal comes with a long, about 2 ft piece in the box. It does take longer than the briquettes to be fully ignited but also lasts longer by about 50% more burning time.

The best feature is it really has no flame even with a large amount of oil dripping on it. This stuff stays lit and hot for hours. You can mix it with smoking wood since this charcoal will provide good heat and will last longer than regular charcoal.

Why We Like This:

Great for yakitori grills, camping grills, smokers, pizza ovens, green egg grills, restaurants
Burn evenly and keeps the heat from radiating towards table or side towards people
Good brand reputation

Best For Restaurant: Bincho Grill Binchotan Charcoal

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Next on the list, we've got yet another charcoal that manages to win our hearts. It's the bincho grill binchotan charcoal and it's widely considered as charcoal that has the most suitable features. This Binchotan charcoal is brilliant. It works well in many different grills. It can be used as an air purifier by removing pollutants and odors from the air. It is used for traditional japanese cooking for over 400 years.

The Binchotan charcoal purifies water by removing impurities, chlorine, and other harmful chemicals, resulting in better-tasting, healthier water. It stays lit for hours AND is reusable.

Why We Like This:

Gives off a lot of heat
Gives decent flavor to the meat with smoking
Puts off great heat and good flavor
Fires up quickly and gets nice and hot

Best For steak: Jealous Devil hot Charcoal

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Compared with other charcoal in this category, the jealous devil hot charcoal has a convenient design. This is one of the few charcoals that if it doesn’t completely burn away you can throw it in a bucket of cold water and let it dry out for a day and use it again the next time. Even though you are grilling, this charcoal lets you taste the full flavor of your meal with no smokey flavor. It burns extremely consistent, and extremely hot and long.

This charcoal burns super clean, there is virtually no smell. It is a good compromise between the compressed blocks and Japanese Binchotan. It is a great charcoal for small hibachi or konro type grills.

Why We Like This:

Extreme heat for a quick sear and no smoke from the charcoal
Good investment for long term